We just got back from a short camping trip early this week and was so happy with how my rig pulls I just wanted to publicize it for other's reference.

Previously I had a 2003 Silverado 1500 (5.3, 3:73) and pulled a 26' TT (~6k lbs). Frankly, that combo worked fine for the ten years we owned it, but hills and headwinds were a grind and I always worried about stressing the truck out. I rarely felt unsafe with it, but there was always an underlying anxiety of towing long distances or over any pass.

A few years ago we upgraded our truck to a 2016 Silverado 2500 Duramax/Allison and the year after that we upgraded the TT to a 2019 26' ORV (~8k lbs). Towing this combo is a dream and darn near stress free. The truck acts almost like there isn't a trailer attached and no more stress about hills, headwinds, or getting passed by semi-trucks and getting pushed around.

Yes, the diesel was more expensive up front, but as of this moment I have no regrets about going this route. As the driver I don't feel the anxiety I previously felt and that's made our trips profoundly better.

Good report... I remember when my parents upgraded from a 2001 Chevy 2500 HD 6.0 gas to a 2005 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax. My dad was amazed how much better the diesel pulled their camper. They since purchased another 2016 Chevy 2500 HD.... with a diesel.

Both tow well in all conditions, although the bumper pull effects the truck differently. It causes a bit of front to back teeter totter effect in ruff roads/dips. And yes I have a weight distribution hitch.

I do not think I would want to tow the 8K little guy with a 1/2 T.

We did tow the 2005 29' Cardinal to Arizona and back winter of 2015/16. I had to remind myself that it was back there.

This one weighs 12K+

So same truck and three trailers towed to Arizona and back to Washington. Big Horn twice and the other two once each.

The Cardinal made many round trips to Arizona with a 2001.5 RAM 2500 4X4 Std cab that was way over the 8800 GVWR, however well under the licensed weight in the State of Washington.

If going above a 1/2 T my advice is to go to a 350/3500 SRW verses a 250/2500, you will be a lot less likely to be towing with a TV that is over it's GVWR.

diesel and gas engines have both come a long way since I started towing in the seventies
in the seventies we all towed big trailers with big cars and huge(by todays standards) engines, but just 3 speed autos
our ram 15000 hemi 8 speed is an awesome tv for up to around 8000 lbs, more than that, we would go for a 2500

You've had your towing epiphany. You simply have discovered what diesel owners have been raving about all these years.
Lots of people are happy with their gassers and become accustomed to the performance of there rigs. They really don't understand the improvement to be gained by going diesel. These gasser owners mostly focus on the cost difference between gas and diesel and really don't comprehend the performance difference.
Now that you have towed with a diesel you have experienced first hand from the driver's seat what diesel performance is al about.
Ultimately the diesel provides a relaxed more enjoyable experience for the driver. There is less anxiety and an improved comfort zone.
The diesel combo requires less input/work from the driver which makes the entire towing experience more relaxing. It's hard to quantify the gas vs. diesel towing experience in X's and O's, especially if you have never towed with a diesel.
But once you experience diesel towing, you get the proverbial smile and immediately comprehend what all the fuss was about.
Enjoy it!.......The exhaust Brake is the icing on the cake!

Even just going to a 2500 with a gas would've made a world of difference! I towed 9300lbs with an 02 V-10 Excursion. Never once did I wish for a diesel. And I towed in the mountains regularly. And never dropped below 55. And that was only on the steepest of climbs that had semis and other vehicles down to 45.

I previously towed a Jayco 23b with a 2005 Chevy Avalanche, 5.3L with 3:42 gears and a 4 automatic speed transmission.

My new rig is a 2017 Jayco 23BHM towed by a 2015 Chevy Silverado, 5.3L with 3:43 gears and a 6 speed automatic transmission

The trailer weights are within 1000 lbs of each other. The frontal area of the 23BHM is larger due to a higher suspension. The 2015 Chevy has a bit more horsepower and torque than the 2005.

I can tell you that the 2015 is a far better tow vehicle and I loved my Avalanche! I believe the difference is in the transmission. Those two extra gears make a big difference. I can now tow with the cruise engaged if I want too, it can handle small inclines without hammering the throttle or dropping a gear and I can actual maintain highway speeds going up inclines that was not always possible with the Avalanche.